Fraction calculator



This calculator adds two fractions. First, all fractions are converted to a common denominator when fractions have different denominators. Find the Least Common Denominator (LCD) or multiply all denominators to find a common denominator. When all denominators are the same, subtract the numerators and place the result over the common denominator. Then, simplify the result to the lowest terms or a mixed number.

The result:

1/2 + 1/6 = 2/30.6666667

The spelled result in words is two thirds.

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Add: 1/2 + 1/6 = 1 · 3/2 · 3 + 1/6 = 3/6 + 1/6 = 3 + 1/6 = 4/6 = 2 · 2/2 · 3 = 2/3
    It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal, identical) denominator for adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(2, 6) = 6. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 2 × 6 = 12. In the following intermediate step, cancel by a common factor of 2 gives 2/3.
    In other words - one half plus one sixth is two thirds.

Rules for expressions with fractions:

Fractions - write a forward slash to separate the numerator and the denominator, i.e., for five-hundredths, enter 5/100. If you use mixed numbers, leave a space between the whole and fraction parts.

Mixed numerals (mixed numbers or fractions) - keep one space between the whole part and fraction and use a forward slash to input fraction i.e., 1 2/3 . A negative mixed fraction write for example as -5 1/2.
A slash is both a sign for fraction line and division, use a colon (:) for division fractions i.e., 1/2 : 1/3.
Decimals (decimal numbers) enter with a decimal dot . and they are automatically converted to fractions - i.e. 1.45.


Math Symbols


OpSymbol nameSymbol MeaningExample
+plus signaddition 1/2 + 1/3
-minus signsubtraction 1 1/2 - 2/3
*asteriskmultiplication 2/3 * 3/4
×times signmultiplication 2/3 × 5/6
:division signdivision 1/2 : 3
/division slashdivision 1/3 / 5
:coloncomplex fraction 1/2 : 1/3
^caretexponentiation / power 1/4^3
()parenthesescalculate expression inside first-3/5 - (-1/4)

See practise with fractions »

Last Modified: December 30, 2024